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Potential Profit

#22
I see no issue. I often purchase beat up basses, fix them up and sell them for a profit.
Two months ago I traded a VM Jag SS that I was selling for $125 straight up for a MIM Precision that needed a good cleaning, a pickguard and a setup. I sold the MIM last weekend for $400.
Most of the ones I do resell though I find $40-50 in beat condition and maybe double my money on the resale.
It is win/win for everyone, as some beginner usually gets an inexpensive, very well set up and playing bass, while I get a little extra money to spend on new equipment. Also it is a gas to bring new life to a poor neglected bass that was sitting in a closet for a decade.
That Precision basically paid for my new VM Jaguar and left money over to buy a few more fixer-uppers.
 
#23
I think the price you get for this bass will have a lot to do with its weight. Some of these late 70s Fenders were pretty heavy. My '79 P weighs over 10 lbs, difficult for me to gig with after the first set.
 
#25
You are reducing your profit margin by stating what you paid for it vs new asking price.
I guy like me might remember this when you are trying to sell.
And yes, prices are way down on gear lately due to the economy.
There are some wicked deals on used gear right now.
 
#26
I have sold 20 or so basses on TB and lost money on a grand total of 2-3 of them.

I have made between $20 and $1700 profit on each transaction.

Basses sell here for basically what they are worth, why sell below market value?

I don't expect you to get rich with the Fender, but if you make $300-500, who cares?
 
#27
MrLenny1 said:
You are reducing your profit margin by stating what you paid for it vs new asking price.
I guy like me might remember this when you are trying to sell.
And yes, prices are way down on gear lately due to the economy.
There are some wicked deals on used gear right now.
Click to expand...

Does it matter if you remember it? What he paid for "HIS" bass is "HIS" business.
How does that reduce the value in any way?

Your comment almost leads me to believe that you actually feel entitled enough to be able to dictate "HIS" profit margin based on his buying price, as if that's something you have anything to do with.

I paid $100 bucks for my 1962 Fender Jazz Bass, EVERYONE knows it.
Not that it will EVER see the classified section but if it was ever to end up there, are there really people out there that truly believe my buying price will effect my sale price?
It definitely won't. If I sold it tomorrow, I would sell it priced comparable to others basses in its same condition.

And EVERYONE is going to "remember" what I paid for it if and when that day ever comes. Anyone that thinks their memory is going to be a deciding factor in my pricing is sorely mistaking.

Again a buyers benefit of getting a great price on an item is HIS benefit, not a negotiating factor for the buyer to try and guilt them into trying to steal it at some low ball amount.

People don't get to dictate what a seller can sell for because they know the seller paid less than their asking for it. Regardless of them knowing or "remembering" that sellers buying price.

Of coarse, maybe I'm misunderstanding your comment but it seems that your letting the knowledge of his buying price concern you way more than it should.
It doesn't seem like he's the type that's going to try to squeeze EVERY last cent out of the bass so I'm sure regardless of his buying price he will price the bass more than fair and anyone buying it will likely be getting a very nice bass at a very reasonable cost.
 
#29
Tony Flow said:
I was thinking of $1500. With haggle room, I believe that price will work in the woeful bass market. Yes? No?
Click to expand...

Unless it is in unbelievable, unplayed condition...be prepared to sit on it at that price for quite a while. Nothing is moving lately. So many great basses on the classifieds right now that are not selling that would have been gone in a matter of days 6 months- 1year ago.

Also, be prepared to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's a '79 and not an transitional '80, '81, or something like that and ALL the parts you claim are legitimately original. Buyers on here will wear that out.

Realistically, I would anticipate $1000-1300 on it if you want to sell it anytime soon. GLWTS.
 
#30
I made a solid $300 profit selling my USA Peavey Cirrus (It was still a VERY fair price), but the person was willing to pay that for it, that's how business works. I wouldn't feel bad at all for doing that. Buying a lot of instruments on the cheap now and selling them later may be a wise investment later on ;)
 
#31
I agree with MrLenny1.

You missed his point completely.

The OP is very likely reducing his potential profit and number of potential buyers by stating what he paid for the bass in this thread. Most potential buyers on TB will try to get a better price knowing how little he paid. Simple.

Also, some idiot will very likely post a comment in his for sale thread along the lines of "Isn't this the bass you only paid $900 for?"

I personally wouldn't have posted this if I was the OP. Although personally, I have previously posted that I bought a '78 Stingray for $800 and A Modulus Quantum for $900. I wouldnt sell them for that, but I guess I was excited that I get these basses for amazing prices.


1SHOT1HIT said:
Does it matter if you remember it? What he paid for "HIS" bass is "HIS" business.
How does that reduce the value in any way?

Your comment almost leads me to believe that you actually feel entitled enough to be able to dictate "HIS" profit margin based on his buying price, as if that's something you have anything to do with.
Click to expand...
 
#32
Some of the comments are really off putting. I feel like the reward does not outweigh the risk for the bass since the profit is not guaranteed in the current TB market. I also have to agree with 1shot, how can the price I bought something for affect it's market value? What gives a buyer any entitlement to demand less because I got a good deal? Due to some paranoia on my part I removed my buying price.
 
#33
I wouldn't worry about making a profit, just know that in these economic times you aren't going to make as much as say, one or two years ago. I wouldn't be too put off by the comments regarding what you paid versus how much you will sell it for. If I was selling a car worth fair market value for say 10 k and I told the seller I picked it up for 6 k, he or she might have some reservations about paying fair market value, even though it's what the car is worth simply because they know I got it for cheap.
 
#34
Baird6869 said:
I agree with MrLenny1.

You missed his point completely.

The OP is very likely reducing his potential profit and number of potential buyers by stating what he paid for the bass in this thread. Most potential buyers on TB will try to get a better price knowing how little he paid. Simple.

Also, some idiot will very likely post a comment in his for sale thread along the lines of "Isn't this the bass you only paid $900 for?"

I personally wouldn't have posted this if I was the OP. Although personally, I have previously posted that I bought a '78 Stingray for $800 and A Modulus Quantum for $900. I wouldnt sell them for that, but I guess I was excited that I get these basses for amazing prices.
Click to expand...

No I definitely see where it could cause problems, I guess what I'm saying is that someone should never expect or demand a better price just because they think they can low ball based on the sellers buying price.

I mean they can definitely do that but I personally wouldn't feel the seller was wrong in telling that buyer to kick rocks.
 
#39
Baird6869 said:
I agree with MrLenny1.


The OP is very likely reducing his potential profit and number of potential buyers by stating what he paid for the bass in this thread. Most potential buyers on TB will try to get a better price knowing how little he paid. Simple.

Also, some idiot will very likely post a comment in his for sale thread along the lines of "Isn't this the bass you only paid $900 for?"

I personally wouldn't have posted this if I was the OP. Although personally, I have previously posted that I bought a '78 Stingray for $800 and A Modulus Quantum for $900. I wouldnt sell them for that, but I guess I was excited that I get these basses for amazing prices.
Click to expand...

Thats the kinda post i report as its BS.

I still dont post how much I paid for a bass when flipping it here, never have and never will.
 

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